I flew from GLA en route to CAG via LGW recently. I'm a smoker (I know, I know !
) and was carrying a Zippo lighter with me. I put everything in my pockets through the the security check at Glasgow without any issue.
When I passed through security at Gatwick, I did the same. One of the staff noticed the Zippo, didn't say anything to me, but shouted over to a colleague that a Zippo was coming through.
When I went to pick up my belongings I was told that I couldn't have my lighter back. I just said ok, not wanting to cause any bother but was curious as to why the same company (BAA) has different rules in place ? If I was paranoid I'd have said someone was getting a Zippo to order, but that's just silly - right ?